The Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association cannot but deplore the vandalistic act perpetrated on the recently refurbished Roman Domus. This is one in a series of such acts which are destroying the national heritage and which reflect most adversely on the cultural attitude and upbringing of a certain section of Maltese society.

It is an established fact that similar acts have been carried out in the past and have gone unpunished. Proceedings against these criminals have not been carried out and no accusations have ever been made, let alone convictions. Clearly the police were unable to identify the guilty party.

Such acts affect tourism in general most adversely and other sectors of our life e.g. the national heritage, private property etc. They reflect a negative cultural upbringing and lack of civic education. The police seem to be impotent in finding the culprits and successfully bringing them to book. This is either because they lack the necessary trained staff and /or the means or there exists a grave attitude problem. Needless to say the general public must also give its full assistance and cooperate with the police in order to help in apprehending such perpetrators.

The MHRA has on various occasions expressed its view that, in the light of such a situation, legislation should be passed whereby the convicted person would pay a minimum of ten times the actual damage caused and serve compulsory long term imprisonment. If necessary, reward/s should be given for information leading to a conviction.

This matter should be set at a national level and discussed with urgency at cabinet level so that strict and efficient measures are approved and the Police are given the required resources and trained well in this area to put a stop to such acts of vandalism. Without these it is probable that criminals will continue to enjoy their freedom at the detriment of the Maltese people and nation, (including Tourism and the income thus generated) destroying further the precarious social fabric, national heritage (and private property) and our culture.

The Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association

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